Michigan State’s Dawson, Payne Out After Fighting At Penn State Inn

Penn State police are investigating an altercation involving two Michigan State basketball players.

MSU coach Tom Izzo released a statement shortly after the news broke, saying the players involved were forward Branden Dawson and center Adreian Payne. “A scuffle that began as two players needling each other resulted in a dented wall,” Izzo said. “We’ll deal with this appropriately, and the players will willingly accept responsibility for paying for any property damage. I’ve spent my entire afternoon meeting with the players involved, and they are both sincerely remorseful.

“What makes matters even more confusing is that they are off-campus roommates. As a result of their actions, neither one will start tonight’s game.”

According to the Centre County Report, which is made up of Penn State students, the players got into an argument at the Nittany Lion Inn, the team hotel. One player shoved the other against the wall, according to the report, and university police got involved but have made no arrests.

Michigan State spokesman Matt Larson and Penn State University Police and Public Safety have not returned calls seeking comment.